Learning objectives
The aim of our study is to present Ultrasound (US),
Computed Tomography (CT) and Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) features that contribute to the diagnosis of hepatoblastoma (HB) in children,
in association to location at the liver,
extension,
recurrence and metastases.
Background
Hepatoblastoma is the most common primary liver malignancy in children (infancy to about 5 years old),
arising from primitive embryonic liver cells.
Hepatoblastoma affects white children more frequently than black children,
and is more common in boys than girls up to about age 5,
when the gender difference disappears.
Although the exact cause of liver cancer is unknown,
there are a number of genetic conditions that are associated with an increased risk for developing hepatoblastoma.
They include:
Prematurity and low fetal birth weight.
Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome:...
Findings and procedure details
Our study involved twenty-two children (fourteen boys and eight girls,
age range 3m-4y) with HB who were admitted to our hospital during the last twenty years because of a large abdominal mass.
Staging was performed applying:
US, Fig. 2 ,
Fig. 6
CT, Fig. 3 ,
Fig. 8
MRI Fig. 4 ,
Fig. 5 ,
Fig. 7
which are useful tools for screening patients with suspected hepatoblastoma.
According to Intergroup staging system our patients were classified as:
Stage I: three of them Fig. 2 ,...
Conclusion
Prognosis of children with HB depends on several factors,
including early diagnosis,
good surgical excision of the tumor and response to chemotherapy.
Imaging features play a vital role to conclude to the appropriate therapy.
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